The Village of Midway council met April 18 for a regular meeting, discussing the community hall renovations committee and the annual donation to the Kettle Valley bursary fund before moving to an in-camera session.
Community Hall
Council unanimously approved eight applications to join the community hall renovations committee. Councillors Darrin Metcalf and Gary Schierbeck will also sit on the committee, for a total of 10 members.
Councillor Schierbeck said council decided to create the committee to receive feedback from the community.
“The community advised council that they wanted a remodel rather than a new one built, so we created a committee to help us decided how to do it,” he said.
Correspondence
Council denied a request from the Midway Community Club to add yoga classes under the community club umbrella, and therefore to be included under the community club’s insurance.
Council also denied a motion to grant the yoga classes use of the community hall rent-free.
“The concern I have I that there is someone profiting from it,” said Mayor Randy Knappes. “It’s not just an event.”
The group currently hires a yoga instructor, who makes a profit on the $100 fee charged per session.
Kettle Valley Bursary and Scholarship
Council unanimously passed a motion to raise the annual donation to the Kettle Valley Bursary and Scholarship Society to $400 from $350. Councillor Marquerite Rotvold, who sits on the board of the scholarship society, recused herself from the discussion.
Bylaws
Bylaw 479, to establish the community hall reserve fund, passed its final reading.
Bylaw 480 to amend Council Remuneration and Expenses Bylaw 477 also passed final reading. The amended bylaw creates an increase to the mileage allowance for councillors. The increase is to match the mileage rate set by the Canada Revenue Agency for 2016, which increased to 54¢ per kilometre from 50¢ per kilometre.
Accommodations in the caboose
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Penny Feist reported on a meeting between herself, Councillor Dunsdon, Destination BC representatives and the Kettle River Museum board.
According to Feist, Destination BC raised the idea of developing accommodations in the caboose and bunkhouse at the Kettle River Museum. Feist said the museum board is interested in the idea, and will present a plan to council on May 2 that will include cost sustainability and cost projections for the proposed project.
“They’re classifying it as a remarkable experience. [Destination BC] thought it would be a huge draw. So the museum board is excited to look into the prospect,” Feist said.